Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’ve owned multiple homes in the past, there’s a growing trend of potential buyers looking for more eco-friendly homes. If you’re one of them, you might be wondering what kind of features you should be looking for in a self-proclaimed eco-friendly home. Here are a few of the most important eco-friendly features you should be looking for.
Sustainable Thermostats
Thermostats are already an excellent tool to help you control energy use and create a more eco-friendly home environment. Programmable thermostats that can follow a set routine are considered the most sustainable. In fact, sustainable thermostats can actually pay for themselves in about two years if they’re used correctly. When your thermostat has the ability to keep energy use low (via your programming) when you’re not at home, you’re guaranteed lower energy costs and a more eco-friendly footprint.
Energy Star Appliances
This one isn’t anything truly out of the ordinary. In fact, a large number of appliances are Energy Star approved. So when you’re looking at houses and you know appliances are included as a part of your purchase, make sure you take your time inspecting them for the Energy Star logo. Appliances and products that may be Energy Star approved include washers and dryers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, ceiling fans, solar and/or tankless water heaters, skylights, windows, doors, and HVAC units. If the tag with the logo on it has been removed, make sure you ask your real estate agent which appliances are Energy Star approved.
Solar Panels
Solar panels may have been rare in the past, but in recent years they’ve become more popular in both commercial and residential sectors. Fortunately, this one is pretty easy to spot. If a home has solar panels, they’ll typically be up on the roof or somewhere on the lawn. They’re big and pretty hard to miss! While seeing that solar panels have already been installed may save you some trouble doing it yourself down the line, it’s still important to ask a few questions. Make sure you understand when they were installed, how often they’re maintained, and the amount of energy they typically provide to the home in question.
Water-Efficient Plumbing
Did you know that a simple water leak in your home can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water annually? Water waste is a big issue, which means it’s important to make sure the homes you’re looking at have water-efficient plumbing. One key feature to look for is a low-flush toilet. These toilets typically have less water in them and flush less water down the drain. Low-flow faucets and showerheads are also key features to look out for.
Looking for a new home can be exciting. If eco-friendliness is at the top of your home-buying priority list, make sure you look for these features during your search.
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